Rising demand for free handouts at Britain’s food banks has nothing to do with the Government’s welfare reforms, according to the co-founder of the Oxford Food Bank. Robin Aitken said there was no evidence to back a claim last week by 27 Anglican bishops that benefit cuts had led to many going

Church leaders were “duped” into backing a left-wing campaign to criticise the Government’s welfare reforms, it was claimed last night. Anglican bishops were also accused of being out of touch with the views of their own congregations after poll results showed that a majority of people believe

Children should be taught about creationism in science lessons to avoid alienating those of strong faith, according to new research. A study by academics at the University of York claims creationism should be tackled by science teachers in order to engage their religious pupils. The study

A former aide to the Bishop of London has broken ranks with church leaders to defend the Government’s welfare reforms and criticise the bishops who have joined forces to attack them. The Rev Stephen Heard, assistant priest at St Mark’s Church, Enfield, and formerly parliamentary chaplain to

The Archbishop of Canterbury said he “entirely” supports other church leaders’ claim that welfare cuts are driving more people to rely on food handouts. The Most Rev Justin Welby said Anglican clergy were reporting an “upswell of feeling” about the issue across the country. His intervention will

Parents should make time to look at the stars, construct a tent and sit to “think and dream” with their children so the learning process continues outside school, according to education leaders. The charity Family Action has joined forces with the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) to

David Cameron has responded to accusations by the leading Roman Catholic cleric in England and Wales that the coalition’s welfare reforms are a “disgrace” and leave vulnerable people facing “hunger and destitution”. The Prime Minister said that he respected the right of the clergy to make their

Most young people believe that they are being held back from getting jobs because their elders hold false stereotypes about them, a poll has found. Students are twice as concerned about unemployment and access to work as they are about bullying and student debt, according to the poll of more than

Shopping has become an “obstacle course” of bogus special offers and confusing pricing, the consumer organisation Which? says. In an investigation into retail tricks, Which? found ten “pricing tactics”. These include confusing multibuys, products getting smaller while their price stays the same or

The Head Master of Eton is to retire next year, bringing to an end one of the most successful headships in the 574-year history of the school. In an announcement on its website, Eton College said: “Tony Little has announced that he intends to retire as Head Master of Eton at the end of the Summer